Aloha Daze

The new movie has been out for just over a week.

Me? I’m an old-school Trek fan. From waaay back.

If you’re a fan… if you’re not but like a good science fiction movie… go see the new Star Trek. This isn’t the same, old, tired attitude and script. This new imagining of Star Trek is an absolute roller coaster ride from JJ Abrams.

Absolutely amazing. Seeing it once was great, but there was so much going on, that I’ll definitely have to own this one when it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray/Whatever.

Nevermind Star Trek. This is one of the most fun rides I’ve had at the movies in a very long time. I think a sequel is a no-brainer, but it’ll have a hard time living up to this first outting from Abrams.

RLR

It is my sad duty to report that Michael Crichton has died at the young age of 66.

I’ve been a very, very big fan of Crichton for years after my dad introduced me to the author in the years before “Jurassic Park” was a movie. After reading “Park,” I went on to find and read every novel that Crichton had ever written. I regret that I haven’t made the time to read the last couple of his novels – “State of Fear” and “Next.” Certainly that is something I need to correct.

For more on the life of the man with many talents, visit the Michael Crichton website [which seems to be currently down] at MichaelCrichton.net, or the WikiPedia entry.

Thanks for the great stories, Michael. You’ll be missed.

RLR

Yes, I freely admit it: I’m a fan of Star Trek.

Unfortunately, over the years, it’s lost it’s luster for me. Not so much the original series and cast, but the treatment it received. I’ve always thought it could be more than it was. Instead, it seemed to be getting the “red-headed step-child” treatment: Paramount wanted money from it, but wasn’t really interested in investing money in it.

Coming in May 2009, I may get my wish.

Meet the crew of the USS Enterprise. Again.

And read about the coming film. I don’t believe there are any plot spoilers, but read at your own risk.

Star Trek: New Movie, New Vision.

RLR

Stop what you’re doing, take about 45 minutes, and go watch a really cool and fun show.

But hurry! Free, but only until July 20 2008!

RLR

In 1969, an unknown author wrote a book that would later be made into a movie. That author had previously written other novels under pen names, but Andromeda Strain would be Michael Crichton’s first novel released under his real name.

If you haven’t read a Crichton novel, then you’ve probably seen a Crichton movie. Probably the most famous of all Crichton novels to be made into a movie is “Jurassic Park.” That movie did particularly well because Crichton also wrote the screenplay. Purists will realize that the book and movie differed in several regards, and that the movie version of “JP” was made a great deal more “family friendly” compared to the graphic details of the novel.

Memorial Day, A&E’s “The Andromeda Strain” makes it’s debut. It is a two-night event, so it may be more detailed than the original 1971 movie. However, the original movie was very true to the original novel, straying only – as I remember – in the sex of one of the characters. (A male in the novel, was female in the movie.)

I’m looking forward to the movie, although Crichton didn’t write the screenplay, so this may be more in the vein of “Based On The Novel.” In other words, it would resemble the novel, but not be exactly the same. We shall see.

As long as it’s not a disaster of a movie like “Rising Sun.” A disaster so bad, that Crichton actually walked out on the movie when it was being previewed to him.

Links of interest:

MichaelCrichton.com
A&E’s The Andromeda Strain

RLR

Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke has died. The world of science fiction has lost an icon.

RLR